Scallops anyone

[awthacker]

From an etiquette standpoint, anything I need to know? I understand dive flag safety and use extra caution around swimmers and snorkelers. How much distance should be kept between scalloping boats (i.e.: how close is too close?)?

[phatdaddy]

usually not too close out of courtesy & the area has probably been picked. when i approach a crowed area, i try to get on the outer edge, about 40 -60 yards. if area is extremely crowed, move a little closer. be very aware of unflagged snorklers in the water. it is amazing how far some venture from the boat.

[RidgeRunner]

Scallop Report from Homasassa. Lots of em, but the muscle was small. I thought late in the season they would be larger. Early season scallops were better IMO. 3 gallons in the shell yielded a pint and a half. The fun is still in the gathering.. Wind was blowing pretty good out of the north east. We found a spot where no boats were around in 6 ft of water. Picked up 4 on one breath once. Numerous 3 at a time and countless 2-somes. Next weekend is the last weekend of Scallops for the year.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

Scallop Report from Homasassa. Lots of em, but the muscle was small. I thought late in the season they would be larger. Early season scallops were better IMO. 3 gallons in the shell yielded a pint and a half. The fun is still in the gathering.. Wind was blowing pretty good out of the north east. We found a spot where no boats were around in 6 ft of water. Picked up 4 on one breath once. Numerous 3 at a time and countless 2-somes. Next weekend is the last weekend of Scallops for the year.

We didn't fair so well. I went to the north where the other boats were and we didn't get but a gallon between 2 of us. And they didn't yield much at all as a gallon didn't leave enough for an appetizer after I cleaned em. And the wind did kick up pretty bad as it made for a slow ride in for a pontoon boat.

[RidgeRunner]

Pilot fish wouldn't leave me alone, I guess I look like a whale in the water. Also saw a nice spanish mackerel while snorkeling. Several feeding dolphin on the way back and a Bald Eagle. Homasassa is beautiful. Very low tide at around 3:30. Looked like a winter low. Homasassa Scalloping 9-18-11 003.jpg

Homasassa Scalloping 9-18-11 025.jpg

Homasassa Scalloping 9-18-11 026.jpg

Homasassa Scalloping 9-18-11 035.jpg

[phatdaddy]

we went to st joe sunday, left the house at 11:00. at the launch ramp at 12:30 ( had to stop at the piggly wiggly for some fried chicken). and rolled overthe side at 1:15. we had 8 gallons @ 2:00. ther were only 3 of us so we had to thro back 2 gallons. brought them back to the house and cleaned them on the back pourch, netted out 4 pints. meat did seem a little small for this late in the season.

[bradford]

Great reports fellas!

[RidgeRunner]

Well that was it. Last weekend for scallops. Did some fishing and scalloping. Three speckled trout and about 4 dozen scallops. Snorkeling I saw juvenile Hog Snapper, Stingray, Speckeled Trout, Mangrove Snapper, Grunt, Pilotfish, Jack, Spottail, Pinfish, Lizardfish and Black Seabass. Scalloping was still good, in about 9 feet of water.
My friend Dave took me to school on how to catch fish. I caught the first two short specs and then I got a trash can slam while I watched him catch 2 shark, a dozen trout and the only keepers. I did clean the fish so I was a little more than just ballast.
Saturday was near slick out of Homasassa. As a native I am accustomed to hot weather. When the wind stops completely and the tide goes slack, needless to say it was hot. Hard to drift fish in those conditions.